Adebutu made the declaration on Monday in Abeokuta while welcoming more than 1,000 defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) into the PDP at the party’s state secretariat.
The new members were led by former House of Representatives member, Hon. Segun William, and received by Adebutu alongside other prominent party figures, including the PDP’s Ogun Central senatorial candidate, Iyabo Obasanjo.
Speaking at the event, Adebutu expressed optimism that the controversy surrounding his absence from INEC’s list would be resolved, maintaining that he had neither resigned from nor defected from the PDP.
He pointed to his political association with the party over the past two decades, insisting that his participation in successive elections under its platform demonstrated his continued loyalty.
Adebutu challenged those questioning his membership to produce evidence that he had ever left the opposition party.
“I have been the candidate of the PDP for the last 20 years, in every election cycle. My question is: at what stage did I leave or vacate the party? Where is the proof that, for one day, I have even visited the APC office, let alone joined the party?” he asked.
The PDP chieftain further disclosed that he was actively involved in organising and funding the party’s recent membership registration exercise in Ogun State, which, according to him, attracted more than 19,800 members.
He said he personally registered under number 1536, describing the development as further confirmation of his membership of the party.
Adebutu alleged that the controversy over his omission from the INEC list was designed to distract the opposition and undermine voters’ participation. He, however, urged party supporters not to lose focus, assuring them that the development would not affect the PDP’s mobilisation efforts across the state.
Providing an update on the party’s grassroots activities, he said its campaign team had covered 12 of Ogun State’s 20 local government areas and more than 140 of its 236 wards.
He maintained that the mobilisation exercise would continue regardless of what he described as attempts to divert the party’s attention.
“We have visited 12 of the 20 local governments. Of the 236 wards, we have visited over 140. Tomorrow, we continue again because we know that the trick is to get us distracted. We will not be distracted. We will keep our eyes on the ball, and we shall win,” he said.
Earlier, William explained that the decision by the defectors to leave the APC followed growing dissatisfaction with the party’s style of governance, its commitment to democratic principles and its record of delivering development in Ogun State.
Tracing his political history, the former lawmaker said he entered partisan politics in 2007 before eventually joining the APC, despite earlier recommendations from friends and associates that he should align with the PDP.
He said his experience within the ruling party had since convinced him that it no longer reflected the democratic values and developmental aspirations he considered important.
William added that the defectors had chosen the PDP because they believed it offered a better platform to contribute to Ogun State’s political and socio-economic development.
He also argued that the APC had become increasingly unable to accommodate the democratic expectations of its members and the wider population.
“We are seeking the progress of our dear Ogun State. My sincere appreciation goes first and foremost to our incoming governor, who has made this occasion possible, with the assistance of our deputy governor, our senator, the directors-general, party members, the party hierarchy and the state chairman,” William said.
